The holiday travel season brings the joy of reuniting with loved ones, but also the stress of navigating crowded airports, potential flight delays, and the various personalities of travel companions. According to a recent survey by HotelTonight, shared by USA Today, the most irritating trait in a travel companion is chronic tardiness. Over half of respondents (51%) cited “always running late” as their top annoyance when traveling with others.
The survey, which gathered insights from 1,500 HotelTonight users, offers a fascinating glimpse into Americans’ holiday-season travel preferences, concerns, and habits. Understanding these pain points becomes particularly relevant for those planning to navigate the busy travel landscape in the coming weeks.
Chronic Tardiness Remains The Most Irritating Behavior For Travelers
The HotelTonight survey revealed that nothing irritates fellow travelers more than companions who consistently run late. This behavior topped the list with 51% of respondents identifying it as the most annoying trait in travel companions.
Other behaviors that earned travelers a spot on the annoyance list include failing to plan anything, overpacking, and the particularly awkward situation of needing to store personal belongings in someone else’s luggage due to insufficient space. These findings suggest that punctuality and proper preparation are highly valued traits during the stressful holiday travel season.
Flight Delays And Accommodation Preferences Shape Holiday Travel Decisions
Despite relatively low rates of Thanksgiving flight delays and cancellations at the time of the report’s publication, anxiety about potential disruptions remains high among travelers. According to the survey, 44% of respondents identified flight delays as their primary concern among factors outside their control.
Severe weather disruptions followed closely as the second-most significant concern for those planning to travel during the holidays. When it comes to accommodations, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents preferred staying in a hotel rather than with family during holiday visits.
Privacy emerged as the primary motivation for this choice, cited by 52% of hotel-preferring travelers. Meanwhile, 26% admitted they choose hotels specifically to avoid family tensions that might arise during extended stays in close quarters.
